MANILA, Philippines - A party-list representative on Wednesday warned that the plan of the Land Transportation Office to tag vehicles with microchips could be used as " spy chips’’ to snoop on private citizens.

In a statement, Gabriela Representative Liza Maza said the LTO should first inform the public on the “ins and outs” of the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to be used in the microchip sticker, specifically the extent of monitoring the information contained in the microchip.

While she lauded the benefits of the microchip technology specifically in speeding up vehicle registration and providing immediate access to vehicle ownership, Maza was wary of possible abuses by the state in using the technology.

“This technology raises fears that it might be used to violate the right to privacy of individuals. LTO’s microchips might in turn be used as spy chips for government’s surveillance operations to those critical of the current administration,” Maza said.

“Apparently, LTO will act like a Big Brother. It can be used as a spying device since radio waves from a microchip will identify all information of the vehicle on a real-time basis.’’

Aside from the potential for abuse, Maza also took note of the cost of implementing the microchip as it would entail a one-time cost of P350 per vehicle.

"I believe the LTO should explain the cost of this technology as it appears that only big companies would profit and benefit from this,’’ said Maza said.